With a double-digit lead among women, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, the likely Democratic
presidential candidate, leads Arizona Sen. John McCain, the likely Republican standard-bearer,
45 - 39 percent in New Jersey, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This is virtually unchanged from a 46 - 39 percent Obama lead in a February 21 poll by the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University, when New York Sen. Hillary Clinton still
was in the race.

"Sen. Barack Obama shows every sign of keeping New Jersey in the blue state column in
the presidential election, rolling up the kinds of numbers that routinely elect Democrats year after
year," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Almost a majority says the economy is the most important issue in the campaign; President
Bush's approval rating is near his all time low; only 29 percent support the war in Iraq - all bad
news for Sen. John McCain who enters the state with Republicans already the registration
underdogs."

The economy will be the most important factor in their presidential vote, 46 percent of
voters say, while 23 percent list the war in Iraq and 11 percent list healthcare.

McCain's age will not affect their vote, 76 percent of voters say, as 21 percent say they will
be less likely to vote for him because of his age.

Obama's race will not affect their vote, 88 percent of voters say.

Bush Approval

New Jersey voters disapprove 74 - 22 percent of the job President George W. Bush is
doing, close to his all-time low of 74 - 21 percent in a July 5, 2007 Quinnipiac University poll.
Voters say 67 - 29 percent that going to war in Iraq was the wrong thing to do.

From June 5 - 8, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,473 New Jersey voters, with a margin
of error of +/- 2.6 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. If the 2008 election for President were being held today, and the candidates
were Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would
you vote?